Brazilian Psychiatric Reform proposes a mental healthcare model based on the implementation of a community-based service network, in which Psychosocial Service Centers (CAPS) play a fundamental role. The report presents the results of a pilot study which aimed to adapt Critical Time Intervention to the Brazilian context, and to test its feasibility to provide it to persons with schizophrenic spectrum disorders who are enrolled in CAPS of Rio de Janeiro. Methods: The research design included three inter-related phases. Phase one consisted in carrying out qualitative and quantitative field work. This phase included mapping out the socio-demographic, clinical and service utilization data of CAPS users, as well as assessing the mental health needs of participants in the study. The second phase consisted in translation of the CTI clinical manual to include the adaptations made for use in Brazil, which were based on data collected in the first phase, as well as training individuals with moderate education as CTI intervention workers. The third phase consisted of pilot implementation of the adapted intervention among a group of individuals with schizophrenia spectrum disorders enrolled in CAPS, but with difficulties in being included in treatment.
CAPS; Continuity of care; Critical time intervention; Severe and persistent mental illness
